INFLUENCE OF POLYTHENE MULCH AND FOLIAR APPLICATION OF CALCIUM ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF LETTUCE

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to study the Influence of plastic mulch and calcium on growth and yield of lettuce in the month duration of November 2013 to January 2014, at Horticulture Farm of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207. The experiment consisted of two factors: Factor A: plastic mulch (three levels) as- M 0 - No mulch, M : White polythene mulch, M 2 : Black polythene mulch. Factor B: Calcium (four levels) as- Ca : 0, Ca 1 : 300 ppm, Ca 2 : 450 ppm, Ca : 600 ppm of calcium chloride. The two factors experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. In case of mulching, the highest gross fresh yield (33.0 t/ha) was found from M 3 , while the lowest gross fresh yield (17.0 t/ha) from M 0 2 . For different levels of calcium, the highest gross fresh yield (28.0 t/ha) was recorded from Ca 3 , while the lowest gross fresh yield (22.0 t/ha) from Ca . Due to interaction effect, the highest gross fresh yield (34.7 t/ha) was found from M , whereas the lowest gross fresh yield (14.2 t/ha) from M 0 Ca . The highest benefit cost ratio (3.07) was noted from the combination of M 2 Ca 3 0 and the lowest (1.01) from M . All the growth, yield and quality related characters were superior with M 2 Ca treatment while the plants grown without mulch and calcium resulted poor growth and yield. 3 It is apparent that it was suitable for lettuce cultivation with plastic mulch and foliar application Calcium.